The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation. This new edition of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again by seekers treading the spiritual path. The classic Sutras (thought-threads), at least four thousand years old, cover the yogic teachings on ethics, meditation, and physical postures, and provide directions for dealing with situations in daily life.

The Sutras are presented here in the purest form, with the original Sanskrit and with translation, transliteration, and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, one of the most respected and revered contemporary Yoga masters. In this classic context, Sri Swami offers practical advice, based on his own experience, for mastering the mind and achieving physical, mental, and emotional harmony.

About the Author

Sri Swami Satchidananda was one of the first Yoga masters to bring the classical Yoga tradition to the West. He taught Yoga postures, meditation, and a vegetarian and more compassionate lifestyle to Westerners when he was invited to America in 1966 by the iconic pop artist Peter Max. The distinctive teachings he brought with him blend the physical discipline of Yoga, the spiritual philosophy of Vedic literature, and the interfaith ideals he pioneered.

These techniques and concepts influenced a generation and a spawned Yoga culture that is flourishing today. The organization founded on his teachings, Integral Yoga International, is now a leading institute for Yoga teacher certification. Integral Yoga is the foundation for Dr. Dean Ornish’s landmark work in reversing heart disease and Dr. Michael Lerner’s noted Commonweal Cancer Help program. He is the author of many books on Yoga and is the subject of the 2008 documentary, Living Yoga.

---

Reviews of

Great book to enhance your Mind and Body. I got interested in Meditation again after 15 years gap. I had a miraculous improvement in just 5 weeks where blood pressure and pulse rate all improved by 15 points. I have a marginal high blood pressure for few years. I am still taking medication.

The blood pressure clock has been set back by 15 years in just 5 week. The best blood pressure reading I got today was in Cardiologist’s office which was 100/70. Last time I saw that kind of blood pressure was 15 years ago. The acid test will be if I can have normal pressure in 6 months with out medication. My meditation / breathing exercises are based on knowledge gained from other sources.

The breathing exercises are called Pranayama (Breathing) Exercises. One can find more about it from various sources. The true knowledge dates back to Patanjali – the original text dates back to approximately 2200 years ago. Interpretation of Patanjali Sutras has also been done by Harvard professor. His book contains 900 plus pages.

This book should be read a few pages at a time and contemplate. There is high degree of correlation between mind, stress, body and its functions. It must start with your faith in a system like a mustered seed mentioned in Bible. If one wants to calm their mind – then it a step in the right direction. One need to understand attachment to things around us. Having all you can have may be OK – worrying about loosing them is a problem.